[Movie Review] ‘Single Rider’ explores what we have left behind

The man appeared to have everything: a well-paying job, a good reputation in his field, a beautiful wife and an adorable son. At precisely this moment, everything starts to crumble.Director Lee Zoo-young’s feature film debut “Single Rider” invites the audience to take a look at a man’s life after he loses practically everything he has worked for.“I wanted the audience to think about what we are giving up now for the promise of a future. ... There are so many things that we give up, and I wanted

FilmFeb. 22, 2017

Burkina architect Kere honoured with UK pavilion project

Burkina Faso’s Diebedo Francis Kere will be the first African architect to design a temporary pavilion in London’s Hyde Park, a prestigious assignment given to a world-famous architect every year.Kere’s design is inspired by a tree in his hometown of Gando that serves as “a central meeting point for life,” the Serpentine Galleries said in a statement.“An expansive roof, supported by a central steel framework, mimics a tree’s canopy, allowing air to circulate freely while offering shelter against

PerformanceFeb. 22, 2017

Huge art show questions legend of Vermeer the lone genius

A new blockbuster Vermeer exhibition which opens Wednesday aims to smash the myth that the Dutch master was a solitary genius who worked alone at home cut off from the world.The Louvre in Paris has gathered a third of the 17th century painter’s canvasses for the show -- the most ever shown in one place since his death -- where they will hang alongside nearly 60 painting by his friends, rivals and contemporaries.“We wanted to do away with the stereotype of Vermeer as ‘the Sphinx of Delft,’” said

PerformanceFeb. 22, 2017

Burberry draws on sculptor Henry Moore in fashion highlight

All eyes were on Burberry and creative director Christopher Bailey Monday night as London Fashion Week reached its starry climax.Bailey didn’t disappoint, drawing on the sculptor Henry Moore for inspiration in a startling new collection that built on the English heritage brand’s traditional appeal.The Burberry spectacle capped four days of shows that highlighted London’s claim to be an international fashion hub that rivals Paris, Milan and New York.Burberry mines Britain’s artistic heritage Mode

Arts & DesignFeb. 21, 2017

British Museum training Iraqi experts to save Mosul heritage

As Iraqi forces fight to take back Mosul from the Islamic State group, archaeologists trained by the British Museum are preparing for another battle -- trying to save what they can of the city’s heritage.One of the world’s leading institutions for the study of ancient Iraq, the London museum has been training Iraqi experts for the past year in high-tech methods to preserve and document their history.“Once the city is liberated, there will be an enormous plan of reconstruction of the Museum of Mo

CultureFeb. 21, 2017

‘On the Beach at Night Alone’ to open in March

Director Hong Sang-soo’s much-talked-about new film will hit local theaters on March 23, according to the production company Jeonwonsa Film Co., Monday.Although the film won Kim Min-hee the Silver Bear award for best actress at the Berlin International Film Festival on Sunday, there has been much speculation as to whether the film will enjoy success here. Poster for ‘On the Beach at Night Alone’ (Contents Panda)The film is Hong’s 19th feature and tells the story of an actress, played by Kim, who

FilmFeb. 21, 2017

[Herald Interview] Behind the charisma, Lee Byung-hun is drawn to subtlety

In one of his most acclaimed performances, Lee Byung-hun plays a gang member ordered to spy on his boss’s wife in director Kim Jee-woon’s 2005 noir “A Bittersweet Life.”The character starts out as a ruthless perfectionist trusted to unquestioningly execute orders. But struggling between his dreams and real life, he begins to act on his own impulses.Lee was strongly reminded of that tortured mobster he had portrayed over a decade ago while playing his recent role in the psychological drama “A Sin

FilmFeb. 21, 2017

Ali to sing at Nathan East concert

Korean singer Ali has been invited by legendary bassist Nathan East to perform at his upcoming concert in Seoul as a guest singer, the show’s promoters said. The 32-year-old singer decided to perform with the founding member of jazz quartet Fourplay “immediately upon being asked” by East, U&I Communications said. Ali (U&I Communications)“Ali said she has been listening to East’s music for a long time and has had great respect as a fan of his talents and bass performance that brings out the best

PerformanceFeb. 21, 2017

[Movie Review] 'Lucid Dream': Unsalvageable mediocrity

Domestic sci-fi crime thriller "Lucid Dream" is the story of a single father who visits his and others' lucid dreams to find clues to track down the kidnapper of his little boy who was spirited away three years ago.For those unfamiliar with the meaning of the title, lucid dreaming is an elusive state in which you consciously know you are dreaming. Unlike a regular dream where there is no control over what you experience, a lucid dream offers you the possibility to control your surroundings.On to

FilmFeb. 21, 2017

Imagining a 50-year-old Kurt Cobain

Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, who defined grunge and the rise of alternative rock, would have turned 50 on Monday. He remains an enduring cultural presence even for many young people -- but what would he be doing if he were alive?The 27-year-old shot himself at his home in Seattle on April 5, 1994, ending his life, his suffering and, at least symbolically, the grunge movement. Rock has kept evolving since his suicide, yet “Nevermind,” Nirvana’s brutal 1991 masterpiece, is still widely considered

PerformanceFeb. 20, 2017

Red Velvet’s song is once again ‘weird at first, addictive later’

Red Velvet’s new song “Rookie” has been enjoying a streak of popularity lately, topping charts of major music programs since its Feb. 1 release. For two weeks in a row now, “Rookie” has nabbed first place on music programs “M Countdown,” “Music Bank” and “Inkigayo” as of the weekend of Feb. 18-19. Since Feb. 2, the song has maintained first place on the Korean songs section of Chinese Xiami Music charts.　 Red Velvet (S.M. Entertainment)Billboard describes “Rookie” as a “quirky, funk-driven dance

PerformanceFeb. 20, 2017

BTS reveals powerful new music video for ‘Not Today’

BTS revealed Monday the music video for “Not Today,” a song from the boy band’s new album “You Never Walk Alone,” released Feb. 13. The clip depicts BTS members performing powerful choreography with some 30 background dancers, similar to some of the boy band’s other beat-heavy hits such as “Fire” and “Dope.”  A scene from BTS’ music video for “Not Today” (YouTube) A scene from BTS’ music video for “Not Today” (YouTube)The music video, which shows the members dancing against a backdrop of rocky v

PerformanceFeb. 20, 2017

Sandara Park shares secrets of looking young at ‘Get It Beauty’

Singer Sandara Park has made her TV show host debut through the local TV show “Get It Beauty 2017,” which discusses makeup tips.Park, also known by her stage name Dara, appeared on the first episode of the latest season of the OnStyle show Sunday. The 32-year-old Park, who is a fashion icon and appears more youthful than her actual age, shared secrets on how to apply makeup for different occasions. This included a look suitable for clubbing, which she said was inspired by fellow K-pop artist G-D

PerformanceFeb. 20, 2017

Former Rainbow member Cho Hyun-young splits with Alex

Cho Hyun-young, formerly a member of the K-pop group Rainbow, recently ended her romantic relationship with the singer Alex, her agency said Monday,MAMA C&C released a statement confirming earlier reports that the 25-year-old singer and actor had agreed to part ways with Alex of electronica group Clazziquai. “Cho has been busy with preparation for various activities including acting, leading to the relationship falling apart,” it said. “We expect prolific activities (from Cho) as she prepares to

PerformanceFeb. 20, 2017

[Herald Interview] Chef dreams of sustainable food ecosystem

America’s dinner table has been quintessentially defined by the corn-fed, seven-ounce steak, served with steamed baby carrots. While the dish may be savory, the agricultural practices involved in its creation have not been so kind to the soil, sapping it of vital nutrients. That needs to change, according to Dan Barber, chef and co-owner of the Blue Hill restaurant in Greenwich Village, New York City. Barber says it’s time to move beyond the “farm-to-table” model and espouse a holistic paradigm

FoodFeb. 20, 2017

Artisans break mold in Britain’s pottery capital

At the 18th-century Spode pottery works in Stoke-on-Trent, startup artisans like 22-year-old Emma Price are moving into abandoned buildings and breathing new life into a once-mighty industry.The 4-hectare site in the heart of the Staffordshire city in central England whose name worldwide is synonymous with pottery has become a creative hub that is drawing in a new generation.Workers hand paint crockery in the Emma Bridgewater factory, which employs around 185 people and manufactures 1.3 million

CultureFeb. 20, 2017

NY's Met Museum offers exercise amid world-class art

“This offers you amazing moments,” said participant Oliver Ryan, who runs a New York corporate wellness company. “We did our first stretch, and there in the vast gallery was Perseus holding the head of Medusa. What hit me was this was the TV of ancient times, a frozen moment from a story everyone knew.”The Met commissioned the innovative Monica Bill Barnes Dance Company for the project. It was choreographed by the two women leading the workout -- Monica Bill Barnes herself and her dance partner,

PerformanceFeb. 20, 2017